Aerial Work Platforms and Aerial Work Platform Assemblies Comprised of Polymerized Cycloolefin Monomers

Abstract

An aerial work platform assembly includes: a) a platform shaft retaining assembly; b) a mounting bracket connected to the platform shaft retaining assembly; and c) a platform connected to the mounting bracket. The platform shaft retaining assembly includes two concentric apertures for installation of a pivot shaft therein; the mounting bracket having an upper gusset member and a center gusset member that are bonded together and that include horizontal portions to which the pivot shaft is bonded; upper and lower platform pins; a valve bracket; a platform bracket; and upper platform pins that provide for pivoting on a lower platform pin and tilting down of the platform thereby. At least one of the platform shaft retaining assembly, the mounting bracket, the platform, the upper and lower platform pins, and the valve bracket are molded from at least one monomer having at least one norbornene functionality, such as polydicyclopentadiene.

1 . A molded aerial work platform, comprising a monomer having norbornene functionality, which is polymerized in a mold. 
     
     
         2 . The molded aerial work platform as in  claim 1 , wherein the monomer having norbornene functionality comprises dicyclopentadiene. 
     
     
         3 . The molded aerial work platform as in  claim 1 , further comprising flame retardant additive. 
     
     
         4 . The molded aerial work platform as in  claim 1 , wherein the monomer having norbornene functionality is polymerized in bulk with a metathesis catalyst comprising tungsten, molybdenum, or ruthenium. 
     
     
         5 . The molded aerial work platform as in  claim 1 , wherein the monomer having norbornene functionality is selected from the group consisting of: dicyclopentadiene; trimers, tetramers and higher order oligomers of cyclopentadiene; norbornene, hexylnorbornene, and other functionalized norbornenes; and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The molded aerial work platform as in  claim 1 , further comprising fiber reinforcement. 
     
     
         7 . The molded aerial work platform as in  claim 1 , wherein the surfaces of the aerial work platform are coated with (i) primer; or (ii) primer and paint top coat. 
     
     
         8 . The molded aerial work platform as in  claim 1 , further comprising pigment or colorant additive incorporated therein. 
     
     
         9 . The molded aerial work platform as in  claim 1 , wherein the platform is molded using a reaction injection molding (RIM) process. 
     
     
         10 . The molded aerial work platform as in  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises an aerial device mounted to a vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . An aerial work platform assembly, comprising: a) a platform shaft retaining assembly; b) a mounting bracket connected to said platform shaft retaining assembly; and c) a platform connected to said mounting bracket; wherein said platform shaft retaining assembly includes two concentric apertures for installation of a pivot shaft therein; the mounting bracket having an upper gusset member and a center gusset member that are bonded together and that include horizontal portions to which the pivot shaft is bonded; upper and lower platform pins; a valve bracket; a platform bracket; and upper platform pins that provide for pivoting on a lower platform pin and tilting down of the platform thereby, and wherein at least one of the platform shaft retaining assembly, the mounting bracket, the platform, the upper and lower platform pins, and the valve bracket are molded from a monomer having at least one norbornene functionality. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said mounting bracket is molded from a monomer having at least one norbornene functionality. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said platform is molded from a monomer having at least one norbornene functionality. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the platform shaft retaining assembly, the mounting bracket, the platform, the upper and lower platform pins, and the valve bracket are all molded from the same or differing materials comprising a monomer having at least one norbornene functionality. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising fiber reinforcement. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the monomer having norbornene functionality is selected from dicyclopentadiene; trimers, tetramers and higher order oligomers of cyclopentadiene; norbornene, hexylnorbornene, and other functionalized norbornenes; and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the monomer having norbornene functionality is polymerized with a metathesis catalyst comprising tungsten, molybdenum, or ruthenium. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the surfaces of the assembly are coated with (i) primer; or (ii) primer and paint top coat. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the monomer having norbornene functionality further comprises a pigment or colorant additive incorporated therein. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a flame retardant additive. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the assembly is molded using a reaction injection molding (RIM) process. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the assembly comprises an aerial device mounted to a vehicle.